• Gods and Godesses of Indian mythology have always held deep
    fascination for the historian and scientist alike. For centuries people have
    tried to find the truth behind the story: did the Ramayana actually happen?  Was
    the Mahabharata a historical fact or a
    mere myth perpetuated and embellished over  the ages? Did Krishna really exist? And was he
    a God or cowherd? Ravi Mohan Saini, historian of repute in Delhi’s St. Stephen’s
    college
     is intensely  interested in establishing the truth or “historicity”
    of the legend of Krishna. With several other characters in the book sharing
    this passion, the familiar story of Krishna 
    and the Mahabharat , form the
    back drop of  this fascinating thriller.
    Criss- crossing centuries and cultures and cross referencing science, history, mathematics
    and mythology, “The Krishna Key” is a page turner from page one.  At the start of the book, the author warns you
    not to flip through the pages for fear of ruining the story. You would do well
    to heed this advice as you begin with “The Krishna Key.”
    A seemingly inconsequential murder of an archeologist in
    faraway Rajasthan who happens to be Saini’s friend Saini and the last person to
    have seen him alive,  has Saini under the
    purview of the law. With the circumstances stacked heavily against him he is
    unwittingly pulled out of the reassuring calm of academia and pushed onto a
    roller coaster ride of intrigue. In what is undoubtedly the ride of a lifetime,
    Ravi Mohan traverses the sands of Rajasthan, visits the Coast of Gujerat and
    even finds himself helplessly trapped in a deep, cavernous recess of  Mount Kailash. Racing against time, he finds
    himself pitted against an unknown foe that always seems a step ahead of him. In
    a series of events that have a dramatic and unexpected twist, the tale moves
    forward as Saini and his doctoral student Priya track down the trail of the
    Krishna Key. In this riveting story, they meet Taraak Vakil the merciless cold
    blooded killer and his spiritual guru and manipulator,  the wily Mataji  in their quest to discover the secret of the
    Krishna legacy.
     What is Taraak Vakil
    is after? How is this connected to the story of Krishna? And why are so many
    people interested in uncovering the secrets of Krishna’s legacy? Are our so
    called modern scientific discoveries truly contemporary or did they exist in
    Vedic India?
    Find out the answers to these questions and more which will
    undoubtedly pop into your mind after reading this enthralling tale. Starting
    out with the ancient story of Krishna, told in simple straightforward language,
     Ashwin Sanghi weaves a parallel
    narrative set in modern post Independence India. Well researched , with an
    attention to detail and with plausible arguments, Sanghi actually has you start
    wondering when fact ends and fiction begins. The two tales are unfolded with
    deceptive simplicity, a tightly knit plot at a pace that will keep you on the
    edge of your seat.  “The Krishna Key” a
    masterpiece of a novel and as Ashwin Sanghi’s third work, proves beyond doubt that
    Sanghi is an accomplished and sophisticated raconteur who is here to stay. A
    must read for every lover of contemporary fiction, historians and scientists.
    The Krishna Key – by Ashwin Sanghi , published by Westland
    Ltd.

    This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com.

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  • Facing Reality

    The Hand Above

    He guides us
    And pushes things along the way
    Long forgotten tasks are brought to mind each day
    He gently shows us how to go
    About the task on hand

    And even if we don’t know it
    Shows us the way each day.

    We may not think about Him
    or remember him at all

    dose globules de 1 gramme
    dose globules de 1 gramme (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    But He is there behind it
    Standing firm and  tall
    Looking down His universe

    Moving things in ways He knows
    Will help us to face things every day.

    He is there behind me
    Supporting me and guiding me
    To help face  the reality
    Staring me every day.

    Today I went to my tailor who hadn’t kept my shirt ready. So I walked down the road. I came upon a Homeopathic pharmacy and walked in. I hope the new therapy works because I am changing into a monster I don’t want to be. I have tried medication, counselling, prayer, yoga, long walks, sleeping pills but nothing seems to work. I have visited astrologers and charlatans visited temples and laid bare my soul to strangers. I have tried it all but nothing fills the deep void in my heart. Nothing helps the pain which comes again and again.

    My family thinks I’m being self indulgent – and perhaps they are right. I have everything one can ask for in generous measure too. I even have the luxury of hours of contemplation. So why am I so sad? When will my sorrow heal? When will my anger go? When will my life become my own again?

    I do not want to be the person I am becoming – a self indulgent monster, a creature wallowing in self pity.

    I should not forget my life is not my own to do as I please. I am not living in a bubble  an isolated island where all that matters is ME and ME and ME and ME.

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  • Fly lice and noodles

    Last night we went to China Garden after a long, long time. And finally after a long, long time I had a great dinner.

    Our guest that evening was a fine young lady who was spending a few hours with us before leaving for the airport. Luckily our regular waiter wasn’t around so we had the opportunity to try something without his recommendations well meaning though they may be.

    I always wonder why I ask the waiter what is the best on the menu – obviously he doesn’t really know my likes or dislikes. I also now understand why my husband always asks for the same dish time after time. He knows what he wants and doesn’t want to deviate from the tried and tested. So in every Chinese restaurant that we visit any where in the world, he asks for Haka noodles and stir fried vegetables including restaurants in Beijing and Shanghai!

    The restaurant was fairly empty when we arrived at 7.45 but filled up quite soon, a testament to its ever green appeal. My Lung Fung soup was served at just the right temperature and the bits of shitake mushrooms blended  well with the chopped tofu, carrots and beans, a nutritous mix which prevented this soup from deteriorating into a mass of congealing corn flour.

    Our guest ordered a stir fry of chicken and veg while we had the mock meat and haka noodles. Mock meat is found only at China Garden and is nearly always perfect to satisfy those cravings for real meat; stir fried with soya and green chili, it complemented my vegetarian FLY LICE.

    We wound up with a slightly disappointing dessert of tinned lychees that were rubbery but all in all I was pleased. Finally a meal where China Garden lived up to its reputation – a place to go for the best Chinese meal in Mumbai.

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